10:00

City Gate and Parliament of Malta

Enter the city through the gate designed by Renzo Piano and admire the Parliament and the city walls from the outside. Set aside about an hour for this area: the Republic Street axis is pedestrianized and makes it easy to reach the next stops.

Visits to the institutional buildings may be limited or require booking.

11:15

St John's Co-Cathedral

Visit the cathedral, renowned for its Baroque interiors, inlaid floors, and Caravaggio works. Allow about 60–90 minutes and expect an indicative ticket price of €15–20 for admission, subject to change.

Check the required dress code and the updated opening hours.

13:00

Lunch in the historic center

Stop at a trattoria or a café along Republic Street and the side streets: a simple meal can cost roughly €15–25 per person. Try Maltese specialties such as pastizz or a fish dish, without straying from the walking route.

For a quicker lunch, pastizzi and snacks usually cost just a few euros.

14:30

Grand Master's Palace

Set aside about 1–2 hours for the historic rooms and the collections open to the public, checking which sections can be visited that day. Admission may vary roughly from €10 to €15, depending on the rooms accessible and the current rates.

Opening hours may be affected by official events.

17:00

Upper Barrakka Gardens

Reach the gardens with a downhill walk and enjoy the views over the Three Cities and the harbor. Entry is free. At 17:00, the stop is devoted to the panorama: the gun salutes are at 12:00 and 16:00 from Monday to Saturday, unless there are closures or events.

Bring water: shade is limited during the hotter hours.

19:30

Dinner with a harbor view

Head back toward the center for dinner, choosing a place with a terrace or a less touristy street. Budget around €25–40 per person for a full meal, with differences depending on the menu and location.

09:30

National Museum of Archaeology

Start with the prehistoric collections, featuring finds from the archipelago’s megalithic temples. A visit of around 60–90 minutes helps put the archaeological outings of the following days into context; admission costs approximately €5–10.

Check the schedule and opening hours, which may vary depending on the season.

11:15

Casa Rocca Piccola

Visit this noble townhouse, still connected to the owning family, to see furnishings, courtyards, and domestic rooms. The visit lasts about an hour and may cost approximately €10–15; some options include a guide.

Check in advance whether booking is required.

12:45

Lunch break in Valletta

Choose a place in the network of streets between the center and the waterfront. Allow €15–25 for a casual lunch and leave time to walk to the St Elmo area.

The streets are often steep: comfortable shoes make all the difference.

13:45

Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum

Explore the fort at the tip of the peninsula and the galleries dedicated to Maltese military history, from the Knights’ rule to the Second World War. Allow about two hours; admission may cost approximately €10–15.

Part of the route is outdoors and may be exposed to the wind.

16:15

Lascaris War Rooms

Head down to the underground operational rooms and use the audio guide for a focused visit of about an hour, with exit by 17:30. The current standard adult ticket costs €20 and includes the audio guide; guided tours have separate departures and an extra charge and are not available at this time.

The underground spaces are cool and the passages can be narrow. Last admission at 17:00, closing at 17:30; closed on Sundays. If you prefer a guided visit, book one of the published time slots and rearrange your day accordingly.

19:30

Dinner in the harbor district

End with dinner near Grand Harbour or in the city center, reachable on foot by walking back up the main streets. Allow an indicative budget of €25–40 per person, drinks excluded or included depending on the venue.

10:00

Hastings Gardens

Head to the gardens on the western side of the city for a peaceful stroll and a different view of the harbor and the bastions. Admission is free, and the stop takes about 30–45 minutes.

The benches are suitable for a short break before the visits.

11:00

Manoel Theatre

Book a visiting slot at the Manoel Theatre: it is not a museum with continuous admission. From Monday to Friday, choose 11:00 during the period 1 September–19 June and 12:00 during the period 20 June–31 August; on Saturdays you can choose 11:30. Check availability and any changes due to rehearsals or performances; the published standard fee is €10.

The indicated time slots are options to keep this itinerary on track; there are no visits on Sundays. Adjust your arrival to the confirmed booking.

13:00

Lunch between Republic Street and Merchant Street

Stop at a café or a small trattoria in the heart of the city. For a simple lunch, allow €15–25 per person; a break in this area makes it easy to reach MUŻA without transfers.

During peak season, it may be useful to book outdoor tables.

14:00

MUŻA

Dedicate about 90 minutes to the national art museum, housed in the Auberge d'Italie, to see works and exhibitions devoted to Maltese and Mediterranean artistic production. Admission is roughly in the €5–10 range, but it may vary depending on the exhibitions.

Check whether temporary exhibitions or weekly closures are scheduled.

16:00

Walk through the streets of the city center

Walk back toward Republic Street and the parallel streets, taking in the colorful balconies, doorways, and stone façades. Leave about an hour for a coffee break and some shopping, without planning visits with fixed times.

For souvenirs and handmade products, compare prices across several shops.

19:00

Aperitif and dinner in town

Choose a venue in the historic center and, if the theater schedule allows, consider an evening performance. For dinner and a drink, budget roughly €25–45 per person, while event tickets depend on the production.

09:30

Crossing to Vittoriosa

Head to Valletta Waterfront and consider the ferry to the Three Cities, or a taxi or bus if the boat service is not available. The boat ride is short; the cost is roughly a few euros each way and varies depending on the service.

Check the return times before setting out.

10:15

Vittoriosa Waterfront

Stroll along the marina and admire the walls and quays from the Birgu side, the Maltese name for Vittoriosa. The visit is self-guided and takes about 45 minutes; from the waterfront, you can walk to the historic center.

The promenade is exposed to the sun, especially during the middle of the day.

11:15

Inquisitor's Palace

Visit the historic palace to learn about the Inquisition in Malta and the building’s institutional and domestic spaces. Allow about 60–90 minutes; admission may cost around €5–10.

Opening hours may vary: check the schedule for the day.

13:00

Lunch in Vittoriosa

Stop at a trattoria in the center or near the harbor, with an approximate budget of €15–30 per person. After lunch, walk toward Fort St Angelo, keeping in mind a few uphill sections and uneven paving.

Booking ahead is recommended on weekends and in the summer months.

14:30

Fort St Angelo

Explore the fort overlooking the Grand Harbour, a strategic point in Maltese history, and take time to enjoy the bastions and viewpoints. Plan on about 1,5–2 hours; admission is roughly €8–15.

Some sections are steep: wear shoes with good grip.

17:00

Senglea and Gardjola Gardens

Reach Senglea on foot or with a short transfer and end the day in the Gardjola Gardens, where there is a lovely view over the harbor. Entry is free; return to Valletta by ferry or overland, depending on the timetable.

Allow some time for the return trip: evening connections may be less frequent.

09:00

Transfer from Valletta to Mdina

Take a direct bus or one with a change from Valletta’s central bus station: the trip can take about 40–60 minutes depending on traffic and route. A single ticket costs roughly a few euros; check updated fares and schedules.

Leaving early helps avoid heat and crowds.

10:00

Mdina Gate and a walk along the walls

Enter through the monumental gate and take your time along the quiet streets of the fortified city. The walking visit is free and takes at least an hour, with stops to admire courtyards, palaces, and views from the bastions.

The streets are paved with stone and uneven in places.

11:15

St Paul's Cathedral

Visit the cathedral and the adjoining museum, if open, to admire the Baroque interiors and liturgical objects. Allow about an hour; admission can cost roughly €5–10 and visiting conditions depend on religious services.

Respectful clothing is required in places of worship.

12:30

Palazzo Falson

Discover the museum-house and its collections of furnishings, paintings, and art objects, spread across historic rooms. The visit takes about 60–90 minutes and the ticket can be roughly €10–15; check opening times and availability.

The café can make for a pleasant break, if open.

14:30

Lunch and a stroll in Rabat

Walk down to Rabat, just a few minutes from Mdina, and have lunch in a café or trattoria: budget €15–25 per person. The area is also convenient for reaching the catacombs without taking the bus again.

Allow a little extra time for the walk and to get your bearings.

16:00

St Paul's Catacombs

Visit the underground complex to learn about Roman and early Christian burial practices. Plan on about 60–90 minutes and an indicative entrance fee of €5–10; then make your way to the bus stop for the return to Valletta.

The underground chambers can be cool and involve steps.

08:30

Transfer to Marsaxlokk

Set off from Valletta by bus to Marsaxlokk, allowing about 45–70 minutes depending on the route and traffic. On market days the village is livelier; public transport fares are generally low, but should be checked for the season.

Sunday morning is the liveliest time for the fish market.

09:45

Marsaxlokk Waterfront

Stroll along the waterfront among the luzzu, the colorful boats with eyes painted on the bow, and the stalls if they are there. The area is free to visit; allow around an hour and consider breakfast or a snack for €5–12.

The Sunday market can be crowded and take up much of the quay.

11:00

St Peter's Pool

Reach St Peter’s Pool by taxi or with an organised transfer; choose the walk only if you’re used to exposed and uneven trails. Parking is free, with no structured beach facilities. In this itinerary, limit the stop to about an hour so you can head off for lunch and the afternoon visits. For a long beach break, you’ll need to cut back another stop.

Swimming depends on wind and sea conditions; there are no lifeguards.

12:45

Lunch and transfer to the southwest coast

Head back toward Marsaxlokk and have a quick lunch, leaving time for the taxi already arranged to the southwest coast. Keep a buffer for traffic and check with the driver about arriving at the Blue Grotto viewpoint and then at Ħaġar Qim. If you fall behind schedule, shorten the scenic stop before the temples.

For this day, a combination of bus and taxi can reduce waiting and transfers.

14:15

Blue Grotto

Stop briefly at the Blue Grotto viewpoint before continuing to the temples. In this version of the day, the scenic stop is included, without a boat trip: to add one, you’ll need to check the sea, the service and the timing, and cut another activity, while still arriving at the archaeological park by 15:00.

Trips may be suspended in rough seas.

15:00

Ħaġar Qim

Set aside about 1.5–2 hours for the archaeological park of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra and the visitor centre, arriving by 15:00. Mnajdra is about 500 metres downhill from Ħaġar Qim. Check the schedule for your chosen date and observe the closing time: from 1 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 it is set for 17:00, with last entry half an hour earlier.

The area is exposed: a hat, water and sunscreen are essential. Factor in the walk to Mnajdra and the return; if you’re running late, trim the plan rather than promising a full visit after closing.

17:15

Return to Valletta

Head back by bus or taxi, allowing for variable travel times and possible transfers. Wrap up with a casual dinner in the city, typically €20–35 per person, after a day with several transfers.

Check the last useful departure before leaving the archaeological site.

10:00

Ferry from Valletta

Cross the harbor by ferry to Sliema, if the service is running; otherwise use a bus or taxi. The crossing offers a lovely view of the capital’s walls and costs around a few euros per trip.

Check the frequency and schedules, especially on public holidays.

10:45

Tigné Point

Stroll along the headland and take in Valletta from the opposite side of the harbor, among modern spaces and traces of the fortifications. Access to the public areas is free; allow about an hour and then walk to the Sliema seafront.

The coastal route is exposed to the sun and wind.

12:00

Sliema seafront

Follow the coastal promenade past cafés, rocky platforms, and glimpses of the sea, choosing how far to walk depending on the heat. The route is free, and you can stop for a coffee or a snack for an estimated €5–12.

The rocky platforms are not equipped beaches.

13:30

Lunch in Sliema

Choose from trattorias, cafés, and seaside spots; for a full meal, budget around €15–30 per person. After lunch, take a break before continuing along the coast.

Places on the seafront can be pricier than those on the inner streets.

15:00

Walk toward central Sliema

Continue on foot along the coast and through the shopping streets, leaving time for stores and scenic stops. The walk can last 1–2 hours depending on the section chosen; any shopping and entrance fees are not included.

If you have luggage or limited time, consider taking a bus back toward the ferry.

17:30

Return to Valletta and a final stroll

Come back by ferry or bus and spend the last hour enjoying a walk through the historic center or an aperitif. For a final dinner, budget around €25–40 per person, leaving room for the transfer to your accommodation or the airport.

If you are leaving in the evening, allow extra time for traffic and check-in.